Taking care of your home and showing it some love can create a healthier and more comfortable environment for you and your family. It can help prevent problems such as water or fire damage, and if issues occur, you’ll be able to address them before they cause further damage.
The following are 5 top ways to love your home:
- Replace your appliance hoses every five years.
Appliance hoses are usually out of sight, out of mind, but if one develops cracks or other damage over time, you could end up with a lot of water damage in your home. Over time, these hoses are subject to hot, humid conditions as well as chemicals and contaminants in the water that flows through them. They’re also subject to vibrations from the water flow and the appliances themselves. By replacing these hoses every five years, you’ll keep them in good condition and reduce your risk of having a major headache. - Keep your home safe from fire.
Reduce or eliminate the use of fire hazards like unextinguished cigarettes and unattended candles in your home. If you like the appearance of a lit candle, buy some flameless ones, which can also come equipped with handy timers and remotes. Or, consider other fragrance options like incense diffusers or melting scented wax using lightbulb heating devices. Also take special care when using heating equipment like space heaters. Don’t plug more than one into an outlet, and don’t use them with extension cords. A best practice is making sure they’re kept at least three feet away from flammable materials or items. You should also test your smoke detector alarms monthly, replace their batteries at least once a year, and replace the entire smoke alarm once every 10 years. - Keep your gutters clean.
Clogged rain gutters and downspouts can cause water damage to both the interior and exterior of your home. Water that doesn’t drain properly can damage, among other things, your roof and the foundation of your home. Clogged gutters also attract rodents, birds, and insects that make their homes in the leaves and debris. Remove leaves from your gutters in the spring and after leaves have fallen in autumn. Adding leaf guards can keep debris from building up, and downspout extenders can direct water further away from your home. - Have elements of your home inspected regularly by professionals.
Schedule regular inspections of your crawl spaces, attics and basements by restoration professionals. Include HVAC professionals and plumbers on your check-up list to ensure your heating, cooling and plumbing systems are running properly. Regular exterminator inspections can also help ensure your home stays pest-free. And as an added benefit, these service professionals can alert you to any problems in their early stages, before they can develop into larger issues that could cause more costly damage to your home. For example, a restoration professional may notice damaged insulation and mold growth from a current leak. and an HVAC professional may notice a leaky or moldy A/C unit. A plumber may notice water damage from a previous flood, and an exterminator may notice eroding siding, door and window seals, which can allow pests or moisture easier entry into your home. - Open windows to bring fresh air into your home.
Modern homes are typically tightly sealed, and while this helps reduce your heating and cooling bills and makes your inside temperature more comfortable, it may also cause the air inside your home to become occasionally stale. Opening a window for just a few minutes a day can help bring fresh outside air into your home. It also helps prevent condensation on your window panes, which can cause mold to build up. To reduce the risk of insects entering, consider window or door screens.
Regular maintenance and inspection can make your home a healthier and more pleasant place to live. These habits also reduce your risk of problems such as water or fire damage. To learn more about damage prevention, to get help with existing damage, contact STOP Restoration today at 888-970-STOP (7867). Our locally owned and operated locations across the U.S. also offer round-the-clock emergency service.
